Ventura hints at Senate run

The “Body” could well be back.

After declining to run for a second term as Minnesota’s governor in 2002, citing media intrusion into his family’s life, former pro wrestling star and author Jesse Ventura may be poised to become a political pile driver on what some are predicting to be one of the nation’s most exciting and costly races for the U.S. Senate.

A week before the filing deadline, Minnesota tongues are wagging at the thought of the insouciant tough talker throwing his hat into the political ring once again, shaking up an election that already generates national buzz. With a former “Saturday Night Live” star and a vulnerable Republican incumbent, the already hot two-man race could become a live-wire triumvirate with the addition of an unpredictable upstart who spends quality time surfing in Mexico.

“The eyes of the country may soon tune into what could be the biggest Las Vegas-style race we’ve seen in decades,” said Lawrence Jacobs, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for the Study of Politics and Governance. “If Jesse Ventura jumps into this race - and my hunch is that he will - this could be perhaps the most unpredictable and exciting match that we’ve seen. It’s shaping up as extraordinary.”

Mr. Ventura, who has been on a book tour to promote his latest effort, “Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me,” has been coy about making an announcement in advance of the filing deadline. On Wednesday, he shot down reports by National Public Radio that he will challenge Sen. Norm Coleman because of the Republican’s support for the Iraq war.

“I gave [NPR] the reasons why I would run,” Mr. Ventura said. “But I said ultimately it will come down to whether I want to change my lifestyle and go to that lifestyle or not.”

When he ran for governor in 1998, he waited until the last day to file his campaign papers. This year’s filing deadline is July 15 - his 57th birthday.

The suspense Mr. Ventura is creating is a politically savvy move that draws attention away from his prospective opponents, Mr. Jacobs said, and the drama is vintage Ventura.

“Jesse Ventura would recast the election if he decides to enter. By any conventional set of measures and history, it’s hard to take this guy seriously, but Ventura is a one-of-a kind candidate who doesn’t play by the rules. His political firepower is unique.”

The Minnesota race for the U.S. Senate has generated $27 million in fundraising, the highest level in the nation. If he runs, Mr. Ventura will face Mr. Coleman, the incumbent who leads in the polls, and former SNL comic Al Franken, a Democrat and Minnesota native who returned from his long show business career in New York and has been active in Democratic Party politics.

Mr. Ventura beat Mr. Coleman and Democratic challenger Hubert Humphrey III in his 1998 bid for governor, surprising many who wondered whether his grass-roots campaign had the power to oust veteran politicians.

Mr. Coleman’s camp reacted quietly to speculation about Mr. Ventura. “We really don’t have anything to say about the possibility of Jesse getting into the race,” said Tom Erickson, campaign spokesman.

Mr. Franken could not be reached for comment.

During his early tenure as Minnesota’s governor, Mr. Ventura held approval ratings near 70 percent, but he later ran afoul of the media and the Legislature.

Since leaving the governorship after one term, Mr. Ventura has stayed out of the political spotlight.

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